BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015 BIAW NEWS A Newsletter for Individuals with Brain Injury, Families, and Professionals · SPRING 2015 27th Annual Brain Injury Conference ... 1 Executive Director’s Message .............. 2 Medal of Courage................................. 3 Building A Tree House ......................... 4 Caregiver Connection .......................... 5 Hiring People with Disabilities ............. 6 Conference Details............................... 8 Employment & Job Accommodations ................................. 9 Legislative Update.............................. 10 ADA-25th Anniversary Celebrations... 10 Upcoming BIAW Events ..................... 10 Donors & Members ............................ 11 Upcoming Events ............................... 12 In This Issue: 27th Annual Conference “Mind, Body, & Spirit in Brain Injury” Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI May 4-5, 2015 Register by April 10, 2015, to avoid a late fee. See Page 8 for details. Chip In for Brain Injury June 1, 2015 at Western Lakes Golf Club, Pewaukee, WI $125/golfer Includes: Lunch, 18 Holes, Appetizers & Dinner 4-Person Scramble 10:00 am Registration/Lunch 11:30 am Shotgun Start 4:30 pm Happy Hour 6:00 pm Dinner & Program *********** Raffles · Silent Auction · & More Sponsorship Opportunities Dinner-Only Pricing Available Online registration opening in April 2015 register.biaw.org
Transcript
BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
BIAW NEWS
A Newsletter for Individuals with Brain Injury, Families, and Professionals · SPRING 2015
27th Annual Brain Injury Conference ... 1
Executive Director’s Message .............. 2
Medal of Courage................................. 3
Audrey Nelson, President Caroline Feller, Vice-President Kelly Kjell, Treasurer Jan Heinitz, Secretary Bob Babel Tom Guelzow Mike Klug Jackie Kuhl Kevin Pasqua Perry Schroeder Staff: Kasey Johanson, Executive Director Kaitlyn Johanson, Office Assistant Newsletter Editors: Brian Johanson Kasey Johanson Contributing Writers: Anna Diefenthaler Jan Heinitz Brian Johanson Kasey Johanson Jan Heinitz Published by: Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin N63 W23583 Main Street, Suite A Sussex, WI 53089 1-262-790-9660 1-800-882-9282 [email protected] www.biaw.org
March was Brain Injury Awareness
Month and we continued raising
awareness across the state by:
Writing letters to the editor
Issuing press releases
Writing magazine articles
Speaking to classes and
organizations
Radio interviews
Distributing posters, including:
Fact sheets about statistics in Wisconsin as well as
nationwide
Awareness about helmet use, both in children and adults
Information about concussion
Sports and brain injury information
And by sharing our stories
Governor Scott Walker once again issued a
Proclamation to Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin proclaiming
March as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Wisconsin.
Also as part of Brain Injury Awareness Month, 17
individuals participated in training and testing to become
Certified Brain Injury Specialists. We appreciate the time and
dedication of individuals who work within the field of brain
injury. You make a difference!.
Even though Brain Injury Awareness Month has come to
a close for 2015, we encourage you to continue raising
awareness by telling your story and sharing the stories of
others.
With HOPE,
Kasey Johanson
Executive Director
Website Improvements
www.biaw.org
Our website is improving. Please be patient while we work to serve you better.
Patron Member, Jan Heinitz, in honor of Christine Guild
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
Medal of Courage Recipient, by Brian Johanson
Brain Injury survivor, Gary Richie, will receive the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s “Medal of
Courage” award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Wisconsin Chapter at an event in Menomonie
on Sunday, April 12.
According to the Hall of Fame’s website, “the Medal of Courage” is
presented annually to a wrestler of former wrestler who has overcome
what appear to be insurmountable challenges which may be physical,
mental or other disabilities that make their achievements all the more
uplifting.”
According to a Pulaski news article, Gary wrestled three years at
Pulaski High School where he was a state qualifier. His family moved to
Barron, WI his senior year when his father Jim took the head wrestling
position. Gary was a conference champion and placed 5th in the state
tournament in 1979. His high school record was 87-19. He later wrestled
at Augustana College and UW River Falls. He graduated in 1983 and in
1984; he accepted a teaching and head wrestling position at Rice Lake
High School.
That summer, Gary sustained a traumatic brain injury when he fell
from a ladder while painting a barn. He was taken to Sacred Heart
Hospital and was placed on life support. He remained in a deep coma for 4 to 6 months. The last phase
he was in and out of a semi-comatose condition. Gary spent three months at Sacred Heart Hospital and
two months at Sister Kenny Rehab Center/Abbot Northwestern Hospital where he underwent intensive
rehabilitation. Gary battled his way out of a coma. He had eleven surgical procedures followed by five
years of physical, speech and occupational outpatient therapy. Gary continues his hard work to regain
independence and re-entry into community living.
Since his recovery, Gary has volunteered at St. Joe’s School, helps facilitate the Rice Lake Brain
Injury Support Group that his parents Jim and Corrinne Richie started 28 years ago, and has written a
number of pamphlets and books about the effects of brain injury and living with its consequences. Gary
continues to accept the everyday challenges of his disabilities, while at the same time maintaining a
sense of purpose in his life. His thoughtful and appreciative ways are an integral part of who he is. His
influence and example of overcoming life’s setbacks continue in the spirit of faith, hope and love.
BIAW would like to congratulate Gary on this substantial achievement!
Note: Gary’s father Jim was honored with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1999. The awards program will be held at the Econo Lodge in Menomonie, WI. Tickets are $30 for the awards dinner and induction program.
References
This article was written primarily with excerpts from the Barron-News Shield and the Pulaski news. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Wisconsin Chapter; http://nwhof.org/wisconsin/ Barron-News Shield; 18DEC2014: http://www.news-shield.com/ Pulaski news; 22JAN2015: http://www.pulaskinews.org/2015/01/gary-richie-receive-national-courage
-award/
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
Building a Tree House, by Jan Heinitz
Labor Day, the last hurrah of summer. The kids
were in the tree looking for the perfect branches on which
to build a tree house. They were so young, and no one
ever thought to tell the children not to reach out toward a
power line. But my adventurous daughter, Christina, did
just that and 4800 volts of electricity catapulted her thirty
feet to the ground. She lost consciousness as her clothes
and flesh began to burn. I was worried that she might not
survive the fall and the burns. I never thought about a
possible traumatic brain injury.
Christina was angry because the first responders
wanted her to have an IV; it took four men to hold her
down. Once at the ER, I heard the word “electrocution” for
the first time. I hadn’t quite processed what had actually
happened to her. Meanwhile, I had to make sure that my
older daughter, Rebecca, was told by an adult what had
happened and have someone care for her. I was
overwhelmed, but I had no idea how much my life had
changed in that split second.
At the hospital, I could hear Christina scream as
she was put into a shower to clean the
dirt, grass and leaves off her body. The
nurses needed to give her morphine
during the shower to better handle the
pain. I still hadn’t cried.
Christina would have a total of
three surgeries, each on a Wednesday.
The first was to thoroughly clean her wounds, the second
was for skin grafts and the third was to take out all the
staples. Her nurse said that as the surgeon walked into the
OR, Christina broke out in song with the “Hallelujah
Chorus” – what a kid!
Christina eventually made it back to school.
Rebecca seemed to be doing well, but was at a loss how
to deal with Christina and all the medical attention she
needed. Life seemed to slip into a routine, but centered on
medical and therapy appointments, as well as special
baths for Christina. Rebecca felt ignored by everyone
around her.
Christina seemed to be adjusting to school. She
received extra help with language as well as physical
concerns. But I was noticing she was less even-tempered
than she was previously. I thought perhaps it was part of
the normal recovery from the accident. But then puberty
struck. Christina became unmanageable. She would run
away, fight with others at school and refuse to do her work.
Even though she had a one-on-one aide at the middle
school, she would hit others (including me.) She even
threatened suicide.
Seemingly overnight, she had become a person I
did not know. Our lives were upside down again. Christina
spent many days in mental health facilities. She was
diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and although I kept
saying she has a traumatic brain injury, no one wanted to
listen to me. The police were at our house nearly every
week and would end up transporting Christina to either a
detention center or a mental health hospital.
Eventually, Christina went to live with her father in
a nearby city. This did not help either. It seemed her father
had less control than I did, and now teen shelters were
added to her places of residence. Eventually, she came
back to my home and was assigned a county social
worker. In fact the county at one point took guardianship
of her and placed her in another residential treatment
center, this time long term. Christina flourished with 24/7
care and structure. She began school again and was
doing well. However, because she was doing so well, she
was released home. Her behavior escalated again. She
ran away for days at a time and engaged in a number of
illegal, inappropriate behaviors.
The calm, new normal we had
developed as a family had unraveled. We kept
all the knives in the house locked in the trunk of
the car. I had to hire local college students to sit
with Christina at night while I was at work if
Rebecca was gone. Rebecca was getting ready
to graduate from high school and enroll in college; she
was being ignored again. Rebecca was embarrassed by
her sister’s behaviors. I didn’t blame her. I was
embarrassed, too. I felt guilty because I didn’t know what
to do to help the situation.
Before the accident, Christina was very social,
very talkative and had a lot of friends. After the accident,
her impulsiveness and erratic behaviors affected her
ability to establish and keep friendships, and to get along
with others.
Having a traumatic brain injury can be difficult.
Generally, someone with a TBI does not look any different
than anyone else. However, once you talk with her, you
might notice something a little off. This made it harder to
get support services for Christina – she looks like a typical
twenty-year-old, with long blond hair, a winning smile and
an engaging personality.
Our lives changed when Christina was
electrocuted. It took me about a month to reach out to
friends for support. I was so overwhelmed with the daily
routine of being a single mom and trying to be there for
(continued on page 5)
Our lives changed when Christina
was electrocuted.
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
(continued from page 4) Building a Tree House
both the girls that I did not take time for myself. I eventually
did reach out to friends, family and my church. I would sit
in the quiet pews and cry, but also feel hope: hope that
everything would get better.
And it has. With time and persistence and the love
of family, Christina is now growing into the young adult she
can be. She is beginning to believe in herself again. She is
the nurturing, caring individual whom everyone loves. Now
she can talk about the accident without too much regret
about what she used to be able to do and no longer can.
This life-changing experience provided a foundation from
which to grow, to develop understanding, to begin seeing
people for who they are. I want to believe that I am more
open-minded, that I look beyond the initial first impression.
I ask people how they are doing and really listen. I am
more empathetic when talking with parents about
concerns they may be having in their families. I have
found that everyone has concerns; a personal or family
difficulty that is hidden from others yet is a burden for
them. Being available to listen, to offer a helping hand,
can go a long way for that individual and also give
purpose and meaning to ourselves.
The tree house was never built. The tree was
eventually cut down. However, the roots of caring for
others, the roots of our family, are strong.
-Jan Heinitz, PhD BIAW Board Member
Caregiver Connection, by Kasey Johanson
I follow a few different individuals who have experienced a brain injury and their
families on Facebook or CaringBridge. I read about the trials and tribulations as well the
accomplishments of those who are working hard to recover and move forward. This includes the
caregivers, too. Caregivers experience trials and tribulations; some get caught up in the negatives,
and some work hard to move forward …
I read about one caregiver (parent) who blames everyone else for the situation and is really
“stuck” in the anger and blaming phase. They do not see how they are hindering the progress of their
loved one and sometimes even hurting the other caregivers through words and judgments.
On the opposite end of the spectrum I read about another caregiver (parent) who looks for
every way possible to embrace the now—looking for adaptive sports programs, making rehabilitation
exercises a game or integrating them into the activities of the day, joining clubs or social activities,
etc. All positive and excellent ways to move forward and make the most of the life that is now.
Sometimes it’s hard to move beyond and embrace the now. Realizing that there is life and a
lifetime ahead to make new dreams and set new goals is very important. There is a full spectrum of
opportunities. The opportunities may be different than before, but isn’t it better to move ahead and
make the best life possible with what you have than to lose time with thoughts of “what if” or “why?”
Those questions will hold you back, they will not change what has happened, and they contribute to
sadness, exhaustion, and the inability to move forward.
Embrace the now—move forward!
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
Hiring People with Disabilities, By Brian Johanson
This year is the 25th anniversary of American’s with Disabilities Act or ADA. According to ADA.gov
“the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is one of
America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and
guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in
the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services,
and to participate in State and local government programs and services. Modeled after the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin –
and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 -- the ADA is an "equal opportunity" law for people with
disabilities.” While this was a landmark law for people with disabilities, its critics suggest it has done little
to help people with disabilities find gainful employment.
Instead of discussing the merits of the ADA and the legal reasons of why we should hire people
with disabilities, I have 10 other reasons why hiring people with disabilities is a good idea for your
company.
Morally correct. The Government should not have to force us to do the right thing.
Everyone should be able to pursue their career of choice without the barriers of discrimination or
even the physical barriers of accessibility. We are morally obligated to ensure our workplaces are
places of equal opportunities for people with disabilities. We shouldn’t need to depend on
legislation to be morally responsible.
Cultural sensitivity. Some cultures disparage, ignore, or even ostracize people with
disabilities. We don’t want to be one of those cultures. Did you know that there is even a term for
discrimination against the disabled? It is called ableism. Merriam Webster defines ableism as
discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities. Not in this country you say? Did
you know that commonly used terms in modern culture are inherently ableist? Using language
that refers to something that is weak, lame, or slow with derogatory intent, is abelist thinking. Just
as there are unacceptable terms for race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference or gender, there
are unacceptable terms for people with disabilities. This goes beyond political correctness, I am
talking about a cultural subconscious mindset that creates barriers for people with disabilities. For
example, if people without disabilities are seen as “normal” and people with disabilities are seen
as “not normal” or inferior, you can see how getting a job, or even keeping a job after an injury
would be difficult.
Embrace diversity and inclusiveness. From the business perspective, the more diverse
and inclusive you are, the stronger your company is as a whole. More ideas and more
perspectives generally results in more innovation.
Talent pool. If your business is not hiring people with disabilities, you are ignoring an
entire population of potential talent. Instead of seeing the disability, see the knowledge,
experience, and skills that people with disabilities may poses and that your company may be
missing.
Disability may actually be a special-ability. According to CNBC .com article on how
employers are tapping talents of disabled workers, “Some disabled workers with specific
neurological capabilities are becoming increasingly valuable to employers for a different reason:
global competition. Traits like extreme mathematical, scientific and mechanical aptitude are so
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
(Cont. from pg. 6) Hiring People with Disabilities
coveted by certain industries that accompanying conditions, such as social anxiety, have
become an accepted part of the equation.” Another article “Americans with disabilities may be
the best workers no one’s hiring” on Salon.com added, “Some industries, such as software and
data testing, prefer workers with certain disabilities, such as autism, because of a person’s
intense focus on detail.”
Marketability. Once you become known as an employer who seeks out, hires, and
embraces people with disabilities, your company not only gains a new talent pool, but also gains
a positive reputation as an employer of choice, which may garner more respect in the business
community as well as the patronage of the disability community and their allies.
Help the economy. People with disabilities are disproportionately unemployed compared
to people without disabilities. The Department of Labor reported in June 2014 that only about 19
percent of disabled Americans were employed compared to almost 70 percent of non-disabled
workers. Logically, hiring from this population has the potential to grow the economy.
Retention. According to Employment and Training Resources, retention rates among
people with disabilities are higher than average thus reducing training costs. Additionally,
according to “Americans with disabilities may be the best workers no one’s hiring” stated that
studies at Walgreen’s showed that disabled workers were more efficient and loyal than
nondisabled workers. Absenteeism was lower, turnover was down, and safety statistics were up.
Tax benefits. According to the IRS, there may be tax benefits for businesses that hire
employees with disabilities in the form of disabled access credits, barrier removal tax
deductions, and/or work opportunity credits.
Leadership. Being a successful leader in the business community, will encourage others
to follow. Not only do you get the reputation as an industry leader for social change, but may
also help shape the cultural and economic climate.
So it seems that hiring people with disabilities isn’t just about doing the right thing from a moral/
cultural perspective, or even from a legal compliance perspective, but from a business case return on
investment (ROI) perspective as well. Sounds like a win-win-win to me.
Author Bio: Brian Johanson is the co-author of Kaitlyn’s Hope; One Family’s Journey through Traumatic Brain Injury and From Hope to Faith; Kaitlyn’s Hope Bible Study Companion.
2. How do these limitations affect the employee’s job
performance?
3. What specific job tasks are problematic as a
result of these limitations?
4. What accommodations are available to reduce or
eliminate these problems?
5. Has the employee with a TBI been consulted
regarding possible accommodations?
6. Do supervisory personnel and employees need
training regarding TBIs?
Once accommodations are in place, it is useful to
meet with the employee to evaluate the effectiveness
of the accommodations and to determine whether
additional accommodations are needed? (askjan.org)
Anna Diefenthaler is a BIAW volunteer and
regular contributor to BIAW News.
Employment and Job Accommodations, by Anna Diefenthaler
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
Americans with Disabilities Act—25th Anniversary
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act. (ADA). There will be
many celebrations across the country. Many organizations that provide programs and services for individuals
with disabilities, including BIAW, are meeting monthly to plan celebration activities in the Greater Milwaukee
Area. Celebrations are also being planned in and around the Madison area. Activities will include a brown
bag lunch educational series, awarding employers who embrace employment opportunities for individuals
with disabilities, and other programs and activities to recognize the good works the ADA has provided since it
was passed into law on July 26, 1990. The “Road to Freedom” ADA Legacy Bus Tour is crossing the country
and will pass through both Madison and Milwaukee on its way to Washington D.C. for the national
celebration. The bus will arrive in Madison June 24-25 and in Milwaukee June 25-27.
More information on ADA and the Legacy Tour in the Summer Issue of BIAW News.
On February 3, 2015, Governor Walker introduced his 2015-17 state budget. The proposed budget includes many changes to the long-term care system that will impact people with disabilities. Among the changes proposed, the Governor’s budget completely redesigns Family Care as we know it, eliminates IRIS, and gives the Department of Health Services sweeping authority—the ability to make significant changes on what services might be available to people—and takes away local control of the long-term care programs that were designed by Wisconsin residents to reflect the needs in their communities. The proposal also looks to replace local managed care organization with for-profit health insurance companies operating statewide. From the Disability Rights website, there is a newly formed Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition which is made up of aging and disability advocates, managed care organizations, Aging & Disability Resource Centers, county government, and long-term care providers. This coalition has more than 260 members that signed on to a resolution asking the state Legislature to stop major proposed changes to Wisconsin’s state of the art long-term care system. More information is available on The Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition at http://www.wilongtermcarecoalition.org/. If you are currently on a long-term care program with the State, such as Family Care, IRIS, BadgerCare, Senior Care, and Personal Care, you may wish to contact your legislator to express your concern over the proposed changes and how the changes will impact you.
Members: Courtesy: Kitty Belanger Anna Diefenthaler Victoria Foston Mary Frasier Joseph Grissom Heather Kapp Carolyn Knight Carmen Kumm Linda Kuzma Darlene Price Julie Martin Dennis Oseth Nadia Rivera Dawn Wallace Family: David & Roxanne Cieszynski Mike & Roxann Crabb Diane, Joseph, & Colin Derks Turk, Beth, Joel, & Jill Flory Dennis & Kelli Goldsmith Joe Goldsmith & Heather Kowalewski Wendy, Danny, Ross, & Mitchell Gottschalk Kasey, Brian, Kaitlyn, & Tony Johanson David & Susan Keller Paul & Nichelle Martin Ronald, Barb, & Scott Preder Robert, Bonnie, & Stephanie Swanson Tom & Andrea Tatlock John, Marilyn, & Sarah Van Der Puy Gil, Mary, & Emily Ziebell Carolyn & Peter Zytkus Individual: Robert Babel Jay Baukin Sharon Bloomgarden Margaret Caretta Melinda Carr Anthony Destefano Donna Destefano Brian Dieschbourg Glenda Fowler Mary Hertel Michael Hineberg Mary Hoerth David Hoffman William Jamieson Jennifer Kolp Karen Krouch Shelby Leighton Adam Lenhardt Arlene Nelessen Michelle Nemmetz Jacob Peloquin Sarah Porter Corrine Richie Mary Sandmire Jennifer Sauer Paul Sauer Sharon Sauer
Diane Schluter Anne Siegel Kimberly Virden Brian Wiza Professional: Michael Athanasiou Jane Bey Brenda Brown Chris Brown Michael Bruns Kim DeShong Karen Harden Jessica Hodgson Pamela Johnson Craig Jordan Robert Karol Kelly Kjell Kathy Klika Teresa Larson Katie Levenhagen Sara Lueck Ann Meeks Tracy Meylor Audrey Nelson Dean Olejniczak Lynette Otterpohl Jodee Plazek Jason Pirtle Sarah Porter Lea Ratajczyk Lorna Reed-Severson Katelyn Ryan Denise Stelpflug Sonja Stoffels Angel Vang Carol Weickardt Patron: Brain Injury Law Group Jan Heinetz, in honor of Christina Guild Independence First Pathways Norwood Health Center Corporate: Lakeview Hospitals & Rehab MCFI NexDay ProHealth Care Neuroscience Rozek Law Office Founder: Betty Lou Lewis Donations in Honor of: Jessica Schluter By: Diane Schluter Heather Stevens By: Bev & Jerry Nelson
Donors: James Blask Paul & Mary Brunner James Cohn David Breen Wines Donna & Anthony Destefano Mark Ernst Epic Turk Flory Kathleen Francke General Electric Company Elin Hudson Gordon S. Johnson Kasana Kelly Kjell Mike Klug Diane Lisowski Julie Llewellyn Michelle Nemmetz Kent Newbury Tim Nustad Diane Riedel Kevin Schumacher James Selig Ed & Tammy Stone Tom & Andrea Tatlock Lyn Turkstra Linda Vegoe Western Wisconsin Cares Willis & Jill Wolfe Memorial Donations: Jerry Barker By: Michael & Kate Blochinger
Michele Boyer Nancy Brill Roger Dreher Karen Hanes Sally Hanson Van & Lylia Hare Karen Krouch Dean Montour William & Barbara Newcomer Doretta Raymond Karole & Bruce Kurnow
Gilbert Bonnin By: Faye Bonnin We thank all the donors who supported the Walk for Thought.
Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin extends sincere appreciation to the following individuals, families, and/or organization who supported the Alliance through new/renewal memberships and/or donations during the current fiscal year.
(We apologize for any omission or errors in our list and request that you contact the Alliance office to report any oversight.)
Members
& Donors
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BIAW NEWS · SPRING 2015
Save the Date
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Brookfield, Eau Claire
and Village of Ashwaubenon
(Green Bay area)
Upcoming Events
Volunteers needed for both events.
Please contact the office if you are interested. In helping at the golf outing or being on the Walk for Thought planning
